The imperial examination in ancient China was a process of selecting officials through a series of strict examinations. The imperial examination was divided into three parts: the provincial examination, the general examination, and the palace examination.
1. Provincial examination: candidates who pass the local imperial examination can be promoted to the general examination. The general examination was held in the provincial capital. Those who passed could participate in the court examination.
2. The imperial examination held in the provincial capital. Those who passed the examination could become imperial examination officials, but the promotion space was relatively limited.
3. Court examination: The highest examination for imperial examination officials was an interview and examination in front of the emperor. Those who passed could become officials and obtain the position of a high official.
The strictness of the imperial examination could be imagined to be very difficult. The imperial examination covered poetry, literary theory, history, geography, philosophy, and other aspects. The invigilation of the examination was also very strict.
In ancient China, the imperial examination was held once a year. The time was uncertain, but it was usually held in autumn. The exam was divided into four subjects: The Analects of Confucius, Mencius, The Great Learning, and The Doctrine of the Meanings. Those who passed the exam could enter the bureaucracy and become officials.
The first imperial examination in ancient China was carried out in 581 A.D., during the reign of Emperor Kai of the Sui Dynasty. Since then, the imperial examination has been used as one of the main methods of selecting officials in ancient China. The imperial examination was divided into four levels: the provincial examination, the general examination, the palace examination, and the top scholar. Those who passed could be promoted to a higher official position. The imperial examination mainly included poetry, literature, classics, history, geography, and other aspects of knowledge. It not only tested the level of knowledge, but also the level of thinking and writing.
They often have complex plots. For example, 'Dream of the Red Chamber' has numerous storylines and characters. The social hierarchy is a key aspect, showing different classes from the imperial family to servants.
In ancient China, the ranking of the imperial examination was generally arranged according to the order of the examination results from high to low. However, the admission criteria for the imperial examination were very strict. Not only did one have to pass the examination, but they also had to consider the candidate's political morality, knowledge, physical fitness, and many other aspects. Therefore, the ranking of the imperial examination was not a simple ranking of results, but a comprehensive evaluation process.
The candidates with the best results in the imperial examination could enter the "Dengke" stage, also known as "Dengdi", which marked that they had officially become officials. Other candidates could only enter the "Gongshi" stage and had to enter the officialdom through other methods. In ancient times, tribute scholars had to take various examinations such as the Ministry of Rites 'general examination and the palace examination before they could finally become officials.
The final standard of ranking in the Imperial Examination was the official's position and status. In ancient times, the results of the imperial examination were directly related to the salary, status, and power of officials. Therefore, the ranking of the imperial examination was very strict and complicated. It was not a simple ranking of results.
In ancient China, the titles of the imperial family included emperor, empress, royal family, emperor empress, princess, prince, princess consort, and so on. The emperor was the highest ruler, and the empress was the highest ruler among the consorts. The royal family, including the emperor and his descendants, referred to the relationship between the emperor and the empress. The princess and prince were the emperor's biological sons and grandchildren, and the princess consort was the emperor's consort.
The theme of the rise and fall of dynasties is prevalent. Imperial China had many dynasties that rose and fell over time. Historical fictions often describe how a dynasty starts with great ambitions and prosperity but then declines due to various reasons like corruption, internal strife and external invasions. Also, the role of the common people in imperial China is a theme. How they lived, their sufferings and their small acts of resistance are sometimes shown in these fictions.
Wu Cheng'en is also well - known for 'Journey to the West'. This novel is full of imagination, with vivid descriptions of the adventures of the Monkey King and his companions, and it has had a great influence on Chinese and world literature.
They often have complex family and social hierarchies as a major part of the story. For example, in 'The Dream of the Red Chamber', the Jia family's complex relationships are central. Another characteristic is the use of historical events as backdrops. In 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', the real - life power struggles between different kingdoms are the foundation of the story.
In ancient China, the imperial examination usually had the following titles:
1. Provincial examination: A local examination for candidates to participate in the selection of officials.
2. Test: An examination held in the provincial capital to select officials.
3. College Entrance Examination: An examination held nationwide to select officials.
4. Examination: The examination for the selection of central officials was usually presided over by the emperor himself.
5. Imperial examination: The system of entering officialdom through the imperial examination.
The imperial examination was an important part of the selection system of officials in ancient China. It promoted the progress and development of Chinese society through the selection of talents through examinations.